They do have some doctrines of Christianity, like
3 John 1:1-7 (KJV)
[SUP]1 [/SUP] The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
[SUP]2 [/SUP] Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
[SUP]3 [/SUP] For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
[SUP]4 [/SUP] I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
[SUP]5 [/SUP] Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
[SUP]6 [/SUP] Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
[SUP]7 [/SUP] Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
- Apostle John
A long post, but piecemeal won't cover this:
The very apostle closest to Jesus opend that holy scripture with that blessing to Gaius. His name was given in Greek Γάϊος which was of Latin origin, in Latin "Caius". Whoever he was in history, he was credited as being very benevolent towards Christians, assumed to be a Christian leader, showing much love (love feasts) towards the Church such that no gospel worker needed to take any assistance of any Gentile ministered to.
That was a man blessed of God, blessing ministers of God. That is the purpose of material wealth. That part of prosperity is one third of it all. Health is another. Prosperity of the soul is another. Combined they form the perfect, well equipped man of God able to go anywhere, preach, at his own expense as provided by God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills , having hr health to do it, anointed of the Holy Spirit.
Some say that was a customary pleasant letter preamble. No epistle of God is introduced with rhetoric. Every word is inspired from the Holy Spirit. That preamble statement was unique, directly appicable to a model Christian, and agreees with much of scriptures. God is no respecter of persons, not reserving any blessing for any sect, race, or favorite man or woman. He is happy to see Hischildren blessed in all ways possible, them that please Him.
Paul too was blessed of material blessings from Christian supporters that kept him from having to rely on the Gentiles ministered to while sitting in very difficult danger.
Philippians 4:16-20 (KJV)
[SUP]16 [/SUP] For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity.
[SUP]17 [/SUP] Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.
[SUP]18 [/SUP] But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
[SUP]19 [/SUP] But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
[SUP]20 [/SUP] Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Now consider the subtle differences between prosperity of wealth, and riches for the sake of riches, and poverty.
Proverbs 10:15 (KJV)
[SUP]15 [/SUP] The rich man's wealth is his strong city: the destruction of the poor is their poverty.
Proverbs 11:24 (KJV)
[SUP]24 [/SUP] There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
Proverbs 13:18 (KJV)
[SUP]18 [/SUP] Poverty and shame shall be to him that refuseth instruction: but he that regardeth reproof shall be honoured.
Proverbs 20:13 (KJV)
[SUP]13 [/SUP] Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty; open thine eyes, and thou shalt be satisfied with bread.
Proverbs 23:21 (KJV)
[SUP]21 [/SUP] For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.
Proverbs 28:19 (KJV)
[SUP]19 [/SUP] He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough.
Proverbs 28:22 (KJV)
[SUP]22 [/SUP] He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him.
Proverbs 30:8 (KJV)
[SUP]8 [/SUP] Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:
That last one I added is a good summation of what the Lord wants in us. No sensible Christian should wish for a mountain of gold (riches), to be rich suddenly withut a plan, which would chain him to that mountain to stay rich, prohibiting his duty to God. No sensible Christian should desire poverty, lest he be ashamed when needed for relief, unable to serve God's kingdom beyond his own porch. We need "enough" to do what God has commanded each to do. That is what Gaius did. His testimony is written forever standing before the throne of God. What poverty stricken person that complains of wealth prosperiy has any witness to convince another poverty stricken person holding on to hope that God will deliver from poverty? What is necessary to rise out of financial poverty? Material blessing. What keeps people sound while waiting? Spiritual blessings abounding. The Christians Gaius abounded towards had the spiritual blessings. They needed enough material blessings to do the work of the gospel.
Why should we work for money? We know God says a man is worse than an infidel that doesn't provide for his family.
But that isn't the reason for working for pay. It starts with our own household. 1 Timothy 5:4-8 (KJV)
[SUP]4 [/SUP] But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.
[SUP]5 [/SUP] Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
[SUP]6 [/SUP] But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
[SUP]7 [/SUP] And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless.
[SUP]8 [/SUP] But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.
Again,
1 Timothy 5:16 (KJV)
[SUP]16 [/SUP] If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.
We must not embarass the Church through neglect of our own family.
It doesn't stop there, which is esxpensive enough already, right?
Here is a very direct statement of God's plan for material wealth.
Ephesians 4:28 (KJV)
[SUP]28 [/SUP] Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
That's the big picture of why we work hard, earn all we can in the doing of it, living in expectation of being a channel of blessing. It takes material wealth to do a bit of that. Wealth is having more than you need at home, being able to provide relief to someone else. If you can, then you are prospering with wealth. Willing to do a lot more? Begin developing faith towards being rich towards your church, your neighbors, whoever God directs you to.